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Regional Boards => Canada => Topic started by: aridawn on June 20, 2013, 07:15:08 PM

Title: Alberta's Highways
Post by: aridawn on June 20, 2013, 07:15:08 PM
Breaking news out of Alberta.  TCH-1 and AB-1A are both closed due to washed out bridges and Culverts due to flooding from torrential rains received in the last weeks.  Rain continues to fall, calling for the evacuations in and around Canmore and Highriver.  Calgary is on alert as two major rivers, Elbow and Bow, coming from the Canmore area converge.  Traffic is being detoured up to TCH-16 heading east and west to avoid the water logged Southern Alberta region.  Here is the news report on the flooding courtesy of CTV Calgary. http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/evacuations-underway-in-canmore-1.1333644 (http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/evacuations-underway-in-canmore-1.1333644)
Title: Provision for HOV Lanes Coming to Alberta Highways
Post by: dmuzika on October 29, 2013, 02:33:49 PM
The Alberta government is looking to table a bill that allows transit-only and HOV lanes for provincial highways, with Deerfoot Trail (Hwy 2), Stony Trail (Hwy 201), Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216) and Hwy 63 (between Fort McMurray and the oilsands plants) as the main candidates.  Currently HOV lanes were only allowed on municipally controlled routes, such as 9 Ave SE and Centre Street in Calgary.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Alberta+plans+only+carpool+lanes+provincial+highways/9093980/story.html
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: oscar on October 29, 2013, 04:47:12 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on October 29, 2013, 02:33:49 PM
The Alberta government is looking to table a bill that allows transit-only and HOV lanes for provincial highways, with Deerfoot Trail (Hwy 2), Stony Trail (Hwy 201), Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216) and Hwy 63 (between Fort McMurray and the oilsands plants) as the main candidates.  Currently HOV lanes were only allowed on municipally controlled routes, such as 9 Ave SE and Centre Street in Calgary.

The use of the word "table" confused me at first.  In U.S. legislative parlance, "table" usually means "kill" (or at least postpone indefinitely).  In Canada, does it mean "put on the table" for further discussion?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: xcellntbuy on October 29, 2013, 08:31:30 PM
To table a bill in Canadian constitutional practice is to bring the bill up for debate and discussion in the legislature by the government of the day.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on October 30, 2013, 11:49:19 PM
Quote from: xcellntbuy on October 29, 2013, 08:31:30 PM
To table a bill in Canadian constitutional practice is to bring the bill up for debate and discussion in the legislature by the government of the day.

I didn't know that "table" essentially meant the opposite in U.S. legislative parlance to Canada, good to know.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: vdeane on October 31, 2013, 09:06:29 PM
The Canadian phrase comes from an old tradition in the British Parliament which involved an actual table.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Big John on October 31, 2013, 09:08:38 PM
The opposite American phrase also came about literally placing a bill to be killed on a specified table.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Chris on November 22, 2013, 05:18:30 PM
Southeast Stoney Trail (Highway 201) around Calgary opened to traffic today. That's 25 km of six-lane freeway.

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/5463.htm
(they used the wrong week in the press release, they state it opened Friday 15 November, but it's Friday 22 November, perhaps they'll correct this).
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on November 22, 2013, 07:42:13 PM
Quote from: Chris on November 22, 2013, 05:18:30 PM
Southeast Stoney Trail (Highway 201) around Calgary opened to traffic today. That's 25 km of six-lane freeway.

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/5463.htm
(they used the wrong week in the press release, they state it opened Friday 15 November, but it's Friday 22 November, perhaps they'll correct this).
Back to Calgary I go, I suppose.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 22, 2013, 07:57:24 PM
I have been following the construction of both Calgary's and Edmonton's ring roads for the past little while.  While it is undoubtably great for both cities, in terms of freeway design, both 201 and 216 look pretty vanilla.  Only the Deerfood and maybe Glenmore Trail in Calgary look like they'd be any fun to drive.

Some of the roads through the foothills look promising though.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: aridawn on November 25, 2013, 11:58:43 AM
I found the Crowchild and Sarce Trails fun to drive in Calgary.  The Glenmore Trail and 16th Ave were both to crowded and packed with traffic for my taste.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on November 25, 2013, 12:04:57 PM
35 up to NWT is the one to drive...
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 25, 2013, 05:44:41 PM
Quote from: aridawn on November 25, 2013, 11:58:43 AM
I found the Crowchild and Sarce Trails fun to drive in Calgary.  The Glenmore Trail and 16th Ave were both to crowded and packed with traffic for my taste.

Sarcee Trail SW, Shaganappi Trail, and 14 St NW offer some good views of the city.  Glenmore can be busy, but during off periods it's not too bad, hopefully the city widens it to 6 lanes west of Crowchild Trail soon.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on December 01, 2013, 02:00:37 PM
The SE gap of Stoney Trail is open,
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/southeast-ring-road-to-open-friday-1.2435992

here a couple of pictures who are posted on Skyscraperpage
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6351793&postcount=5247
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6349405&postcount=5215
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6350014&postcount=5230
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: oscar on December 14, 2013, 09:12:49 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on November 25, 2013, 12:04:57 PM
35 up to NWT is the one to drive...

Only if you're really into boredom. 

The only thing that keeps AB 35 from being the most boring highway ever is that, if you're lucky, you'll see a train on its way to or from Hay River NWT.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on December 14, 2013, 10:26:17 AM
Quote from: oscar on December 14, 2013, 09:12:49 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on November 25, 2013, 12:04:57 PM
35 up to NWT is the one to drive...

Only if you're really into boredom. 

The only thing that keeps AB 35 from being the most boring highway ever is that, if you're lucky, you'll see a train on its way to or from Hay River NWT.
Far from. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip up to, through, and down from NWT. I'm not bored by a landscape that vastly different than my own. Now, having to drive more than two days through the outback, that did become boring.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Chris on December 14, 2013, 10:35:26 AM
The third bridge across the Athabasca River in Fort McMurray opened to traffic recently. The bridge has been expanded to 10 lanes. This would also make it Canada's northernmost freeway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3702%2F10482132436_af48911b3e_b.jpg&hash=1af168e96f4024a69e3f71141b662bbdae657e7c) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/governmentofalberta/10482132436/)
Highway 63 river bridges in Fort McMurray (http://www.flickr.com/photos/governmentofalberta/10482132436/) by Government of Alberta (http://www.flickr.com/people/governmentofalberta/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on December 16, 2013, 04:38:17 PM
I assume the unusual layout in that last picture is because it was originally one bridge and the others have been added piecemeal. Quite why such a remote outpost needs a collector distributor system is beyond me when there are plenty of busier crossings that are crying out for such a luxury.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Brandon on December 16, 2013, 05:34:51 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on December 16, 2013, 04:38:17 PM
I assume the unusual layout in that last picture is because it was originally one bridge and the others have been added piecemeal. Quite why such a remote outpost needs a collector distributor system is beyond me when there are plenty of busier crossings that are crying out for such a luxury.

The far left bridge, from Google Maps, is a truss bridge.  I'm guessing that was the first bridge here.  The middle one is the second bridge, added later when the road was divided.  The third one is the new one.  My guess is that the setup is because of the need to have both freeway and local traffic crossing the only bridge in the area.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on December 19, 2013, 01:32:21 PM
Fort McMurray has a bit of an interesting layout that result in major traffic issues.  There's only one highway (Hwy 63) that goes south and connects Fort McMurray to the rest of the world; it's central business area is located south of the Athabasca River while the majority if its residential area and the Oilsands plants (main employment area) are located north of the river.  With Oilsands plant development, there are a lot of oversized loads that come from the south going north where police have to close traffic and they preveously used the middle bridge.  There are a lot of non-resident workers to there is a lot more traffic than it's population would indicate.

A friend of mine used to work & live in Fort McMurrey.  He told me that there were stores that were located on the north side of the river that were charging more than the southside stores simply because of the convenience of not fighting traffic on Hwy 63.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Chris on December 19, 2013, 02:17:29 PM
According to Alberta Transportation, the AADT on the Highway 63 bridge is 60,000 vehicles per day. That's quite high for such a remote place where all traffic is generated in the local area. The AADT further south is only 2,500 - 5,000 vpd (these parts are being twinned).
Title: Re: New Alberta Highway Shields
Post by: dmuzika on July 08, 2014, 06:28:38 PM
Alberta has revised its highway shields to reflect its logo that was updated a couple years ago.  Some of the shields are starting to show up in the Calgary region.

Here's what they have looked like for a while:

Old Primary (1-216)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fe%2Fe1%2FAlberta_Highway_36.svg&hash=fff8c0ebb1c26aa96dfff1371558332fe43bce7b)
Source: Wikipedia; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Alberta_Highway_36.svg

Old Secondary (500-986)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F5%2F57%2FAlberta_Highway_592.svg&hash=390a5a1fbbc3b16c8cb57a8a20dcddf3ac700c24)
Source: Wikipedia; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Alberta_Highway_592.svg

New Primary (1-216)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Falbertasafetysign.com%2Fimage%2Fcache%2F%2Fdata%2FTRAFFIC%2FIB%2FIB-2---Alberta-Route-Marker-for-Highway-Numbers-1-216-500x500.jpg&hash=1b67a03f96ebd137b4a94392bf7073b822c06be6)
Source: Alberta Safety Sign; http://albertasafetysign.com/image/cache//data/TRAFFIC/IB/IB-2---Alberta-Route-Marker-for-Highway-Numbers-1-216-500x500.jpg

New Secondary (500-986)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Falbertasafetysign.com%2Fimage%2Fcache%2F%2Fdata%2FTRAFFIC%2FIB%2FIB-100---Alberta-Route-Marker-for-Highway-Numbers-500-986-500x500.jpg&hash=fd56e3a010aa6f2a8348fb4e498a5f79eeb601fa)
Source: Alberta Safety Sign; http://albertasafetysign.com/image/cache//data/TRAFFIC/IB/IB-100---Alberta-Route-Marker-for-Highway-Numbers-500-986-500x500.jpg
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on July 08, 2014, 10:18:58 PM
I'm usually pretty open to new sign/shield designs.

But this... meh. It's not godawful (but I'm sure most of this board thinks it is), but it's not impressive. My biggest gripe is that the stylized Alberta signature is pretty much unreadable from a moving car. My second gripe is that the numerals are too small.

For some reasons, while I don't have issues with Clearview numerals in legends, I do think it looks funky on a shield. It's not because it's the first time I see it; Ottawa and Winnipeg use it on their municipal road shields.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 08, 2014, 10:53:13 PM
The older Alberta legend looks pretty dated though, compared to the new stylized version.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on July 09, 2014, 08:28:21 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 08, 2014, 10:53:13 PM
The older Alberta legend looks pretty dated though, compared to the new stylized version.
There was a period of old legend with Clearview, not reflected below. I saw it in the field last year.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM
A selected few projects that are proposed in Alberta:

Medicine Hat By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%201%20Medicine%20Hat/bypass%201.pdf

Highway 3 and Hwy 4, Lethbridge By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%203%20Lethbridge/Key_Plan.pdf

Hwy 63 freeway upgrade in Fort McMurray:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Northeast/Freeway_Upgrades_Ft_Mac/Hwy63_FTMcM_freeway_overview.pdf

Hwy 2 Twinning, Peace River:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_1_North_West/Hwy_2_location_Plan.pdf
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 25, 2015, 03:12:30 AM
What's up with the weird bend in the Northeastern section of the Calgary Ring Road (Hwy 201)?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Concrete Bob on January 25, 2015, 03:58:47 AM
The odd bend in Stoney Trail (NE) where it goes from east-west to north-south is to accomodate for a future interchange for a future freeway that will head due north of the bend to join on up with QE2 somwhere north of Airdrie. 

When one heads south on Stoney Trail to the point where it turns west along the Marquis of Lorne Trail, there is an "overpowered" interchange leading to 88th Street.  88th Street is expected to be upgraded to a freeway that will extend to Alberta 2 down around Okotoks. 

When these extentions are both built, I would guess that Alberta 2 will be "routed" along the entire north-south stretch, bypassing Calgary's core altogether.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 25, 2015, 10:03:56 AM
I remember reading years ago, that one day TCH-1 will be re-routed east from Calgary along today's Hwy 22-X and 901.  I've always surmised that that's the reason that exit numbers haven't yet been applied to TCH-1 east of Calgary.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on January 26, 2015, 05:57:52 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 25, 2015, 10:03:56 AM
I remember reading years ago, that one day TCH-1 will be re-routed east from Calgary along today's Hwy 22-X and 901.  I've always surmised that that's the reason that exit numbers haven't yet been applied to TCH-1 east of Calgary.

Probably.  Although there are only 4 interchanges between Calgary and Medicine Hat (approx 270 km); Chestermere, Hwy 9, and two interchanges serving Brooks.

Personally, I'd like to see Hwy 22X reserved as a feeder to Hwy 201 and see TCH 1 serve the city.  Instead of connecting with Hwy 22X/201 and following the edge of the city, I think TCH 1 would be better served by connecting with Hwy 560 somewhere between Strathmore & Langdon and following Glenmore Trail and Sarcee Trail to reconnect with the exisitng TCH 1 near C.O.P.  Interestingly enough, the province has a plan to convert Hwy 560 to freeway standard between Calgary and Langdon (see http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_7_Calgary_Area/Hwy_560/Recomended_plan.pdf).  It would involve less kms of new highway than expanding Hwy 22X/901 to Gliechen.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 26, 2015, 06:03:43 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on January 25, 2015, 03:58:47 AM
The odd bend in Stoney Trail (NE) where it goes from east-west to north-south is to accomodate for a future interchange for a future freeway that will head due north of the bend to join on up with QE2 somwhere north of Airdrie. 

When one heads south on Stoney Trail to the point where it turns west along the Marquis of Lorne Trail, there is an "overpowered" interchange leading to 88th Street.  88th Street is expected to be upgraded to a freeway that will extend to Alberta 2 down around Okotoks. 

When these extentions are both built, I would guess that Alberta 2 will be "routed" along the entire north-south stretch, bypassing Calgary's core altogether.

I'm guessing the future interchange is expected to look similar to the 201/88th Street interchange?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 27, 2015, 09:26:24 AM
While Glenmore Trail is undoubtedly a way better routing for Hwy 1 than 16th Avenue currently is, looking from Google Maps, Glenmore Trail looks somewhat undersized to be the TCH Routing.  To me, Glenmore looks very much like an urban commuter road, more akin to the Allen Expressway in Toronto than a through truck route like a standard interstate.

I can definitely understand though, why Alberta's DOT would prefer twinning 560 instead of 901 from a cost perspective though.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on January 28, 2015, 01:23:44 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 27, 2015, 09:26:24 AMWhile Glenmore Trail is undoubtedly a way better routing for Hwy 1 than 16th Avenue currently is, looking from Google Maps, Glenmore Trail looks somewhat undersized to be the TCH Routing.  To me, Glenmore looks very much like an urban commuter road, more akin to the Allen Expressway in Toronto than a through truck route like a standard interstate.

I can definitely understand though, why Alberta's DOT would prefer twinning 560 instead of 901 from a cost perspective though.

I agree that Glenmore Trail is not optimal, but you can make the argument that outside of Ontario, few urban Canadian freeways are truly up to interstate standards.  In Alberta, the only ones that qualify would be Deerfoot Trail (AB 2) and the more recently constructed Stoney Trail (AB 201) and Anthony Henday Drive (AB 216).   Yellowhead Trail, TCH 16 through Edmonton, is almost as big of a mess as TCH 1 through Calgary.  Significant sections of Glenmore Trail would have to be upgraded; specifically sections west of Crowchild Trail (which will happen in conjunction with the SW Ring Road) and east of Ogden Road.  The ROW exists and the city has plans to do the freeway upgrades, but as always funding is the issue.  Stoney Trail would still exist to serve as the bypass route.

Glenmore Trail would be an 80 km/h freeway, comparable some of the Autoroutes through Montreal, but is a third the size of Montreal and a fifth the size of Toronto so there wouldn't be the same traffic challenges.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 29, 2016, 08:37:09 PM
It sounds like the southwest portion of Calgary's ring road will finally be built :)

http://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/new-homes/s-w-ring-road-to-support-growth-of-new-communities-commercial-hubs (http://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/new-homes/s-w-ring-road-to-support-growth-of-new-communities-commercial-hubs)

QuoteAfter years of negotiation and planning, preliminary work on building the southwest ring road from Glenmore Trail to Macleod Trail is finally under way. When completed, the new freeway is expected to have a huge impact on residential and transportation development in southwest Calgary.

With a completion deadline of fall 2021, the 31-kilometre link will include 14 interchanges and cut through the Tsuu T'ina Nation, west of Weaselhead Flats.

QuoteJohn Hall, co-ordinator for Centre West Planning for the City of Calgary, says the new link will improve access to southeast Calgary, such as the South Health Campus and the industrial areas, and will take pressure off Macleod Trail.

Utility-relocation work began in July, with full construction expected to begin in the fall, pending a final agreement being signed with Mountain View Partners, Lamb says.

QuoteConstruction timing for the final piece of the ring-road puzzle, connecting Glenmore and Highway 1, has yet to be determined, Lamb adds.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 29, 2016, 09:09:58 PM
I heard about this.

I was actually going to start a generic 'Western Canada Road Projects' Page. This board only really covers Ontario and Quebec in detail.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 29, 2016, 09:15:19 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 29, 2016, 09:09:58 PM
I heard about this.

I was actually going to start a generic 'Western Canada Road Projects' Page. This board only really covers Ontario and Quebec in detail.

I think that would be a great idea, since there doesn't seem to be enough demand for separate province threads. I would like to hear and learn about any projects out west :)
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: haljackey on August 14, 2017, 12:31:53 PM
Canada's first diverging diamond interchange opens in Calgary.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/diverging-diamond-interchange-opens-calgary-1.4245773 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/diverging-diamond-interchange-opens-calgary-1.4245773)

Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: srpyyc on October 29, 2017, 01:36:57 PM
Hi Folks,

Here is a road video I made of Alberta's Highway 40 through the Highwood Pass.  The highway is closed from December 15th to June 15th each year.



Thanks!

Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 29, 2017, 07:07:55 PM
Quote from: srpyyc on October 29, 2017, 01:36:57 PM
Here is a road video I made of Alberta's Highway 40 through the Highwood Pass.  The highway is closed from December 15th to June 15th each year.

Interesting schedule for closing. Most of the mountain highways in my area are closed by mid November, but reopen again in late April.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: srpyyc on October 30, 2017, 01:07:57 AM
The annual closure is for wildlife protection rather than just because of the winter conditions.  Indeed, as soon as the snow clears in May, cyclists take to the closed highway in droves to enjoy a vehicle-free ride before the June 15th opening.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: bing101 on August 29, 2018, 06:21:57 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG7bBmmfoQA

Here is a cool roadgeek tour by Western Canada Roads on the TransCanada Highway at Banff.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dvferyance on March 05, 2019, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM
A selected few projects that are proposed in Alberta:

Medicine Hat By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%201%20Medicine%20Hat/bypass%201.pdf

Highway 3 and Hwy 4, Lethbridge By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%203%20Lethbridge/Key_Plan.pdf

Hwy 63 freeway upgrade in Fort McMurray:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Northeast/Freeway_Upgrades_Ft_Mac/Hwy63_FTMcM_freeway_overview.pdf

Hwy 2 Twinning, Peace River:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_1_North_West/Hwy_2_location_Plan.pdf
Trans Canada highway is mostly a freeway as is through Medicine Hat they can't just simply upgrade the remainder to a freeway? Seems a lot cheaper than building a whole new bypass.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: swiz_01 on March 06, 2019, 10:30:33 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on March 05, 2019, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM
A selected few projects that are proposed in Alberta:

Medicine Hat By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%201%20Medicine%20Hat/bypass%201.pdf

Highway 3 and Hwy 4, Lethbridge By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%203%20Lethbridge/Key_Plan.pdf

Hwy 63 freeway upgrade in Fort McMurray:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Northeast/Freeway_Upgrades_Ft_Mac/Hwy63_FTMcM_freeway_overview.pdf

Hwy 2 Twinning, Peace River:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_1_North_West/Hwy_2_location_Plan.pdf
Trans Canada highway is mostly a freeway as is through Medicine Hat they can't just simply upgrade the remainder to a freeway? Seems a lot cheaper than building a whole new bypass.

The non-freeway stretches through there (3 lights in Redcliff, 2 lights and an unsignalled intersection in Medicine Hat, and numerous unsignalled intersections in Dunmore) are pretty tucked in between some tight frontage roads.  Not to mention the contours of the land coming down and up from the river valley.  It definitely could be done, with some Texas-style frontage roads and ramp combinations, or some SPUIs.

Another source of local controversy about the Med. Hat bypass is that if it does take the shorter route along the southwest side, it would be disturbing prime irrigated farmland.  Where if it went the longer way around, on the northeast side, it would only be going through unirrigated farmland and bald prairie. 

Additionally, Medicine Hat has been stagnating in population and industry for some time now.  So residents feel that if you are trying to attract people and industry to the city, why would you take the highway out to where people cannot see the city?  But hey, that the Alberta Government for you.  Projects like this take ages to happen, if at all.   
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on March 06, 2019, 07:20:04 PM
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just upgrade the existing road to freeway than it would be to build a freeway on a new alignment?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 08, 2019, 01:29:07 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on March 06, 2019, 07:20:04 PM
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just upgrade the existing road to freeway than it would be to build a freeway on a new alignment?

Often, depends on how much vertical and horizontal realignment is necessary to bring it to modern freeway standards.

Likely a bypass is being selected in order to separate local and through traffic, rather than just building up once corridor for both.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 09, 2019, 11:31:15 AM
I saw some others Alberta projects on the planning stages.
AB-2A four-lane upgrade from Leduc to Millet.
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Edmonton_Area/Hwy%202A%20Leduc%20to%20Millet/Ultimate%20Plan.pdf
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Edmonton_Area/Hwy%202A%20Leduc%20to%20Millet/Detailed%20Twinning%20Plan.pdf

AB-2 twinning from Morinville to north of AB-18.
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Edmonton_Area/Hwy%202%20Morinville%20to%20Hwy%2018/Detailed%20Twinning.pdf

Upgrades of AB-2 at Leduc.
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Edmonton_Area/Hwy2_Upgardes_Leduc_Ellerslie/QEII_Leduc_Ellerslie_initial_stage.pdf

Twinning of AB-625 between Nisku and AB-21. Do you think then AB-625 could be renumbered as AB-19?
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Edmonton_Area/Hwy%20625/Recommended%20Option.pdf
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on July 08, 2019, 07:21:48 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU_TugjIFw

An updated animation of the Calgary Ring Road project from TCH 1 to Highway 8. Noticed anything different?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt01oebWL0I

EDIT: Here is a previous animation of the Ring Road project. As you can see, they removed the culvert and replaced it with a set of bridges for the local road to go underneath it just south of TCH 1 interchange.
At the Highway 8 interchange, they removed the weaving section with traffic exiting to 17th Avenue SW from Highway 201 and replaced it with braided ramps so that Highway 8 traffic can merge directly onto Stoney Trail and not interfere with traffic exiting to 17th Avenue SW.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 08, 2019, 09:31:43 PM
what was different that I didn't notice?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Tom on August 21, 2020, 11:22:30 PM
I read there's a provincial highway in Alberta numbered 666.  I wonder if there's a move to have the highway renumbered (how about 888). :coffee:
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 22, 2020, 02:16:42 AM
Quote from: Tom on August 21, 2020, 11:22:30 PM
I read there's a provincial highway in Alberta numbered 666.  I wonder if there's a move to have the highway renumbered (how about 888). :coffee:
Nope, because they're sensible about numbers being numbers. :coffee:
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on August 25, 2020, 08:55:58 AM
I was checking out some freeways around here and man if they ever get Trans Canada(1) up to interstate standards between Calgary and Vancouver that will be a very impressive freeway. It would be Canada's I-70/Glenwood canyon.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on August 25, 2020, 12:59:06 PM
Quote from: Tom on August 21, 2020, 11:22:30 PM
I read there's a provincial highway in Alberta numbered 666.  I wonder if there's a move to have the highway renumbered (how about 888). :coffee:

The 500-900 series numbering (formerly Secondary Highways) is based on a grid, with 500s/600s running east-west and increase from south-to-north (i.e. AB 500 is near the Montana border), while the 700s/800s run north-south and increase from west-to-east (i.e. AB 899 is near the Saskatchewan border). If 666 were to be renumbered, which a quick Google search shows no indication, it would probably be 664.

900-series routes indicate future upgrades to the 1-216 series (formerly Primary Highway), i.e. AB 947 near Fox Creek will probably become part of AB 47 if it is ever extended southward to Edson.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on October 08, 2020, 10:40:00 AM
Little late in posting, but a 12 km section of Tsuut'ina Trail (Hwy 201) opened between Fish Creek Blvd and Glenmore in Calgary October 1. It was the very long awaited portion of the SW Ring Road through the Tsuut'ina First Nation on the western edge of Calgary. The section between Fish Creek Blvd and Hwy 22X, is slated to open October 2021, while the West Ring Road between Hwy 8 and the TCH is slated to open in 2024, completing the ring road.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/tsuut-ina-trail-section-of-calgary-ring-road-opens-to-traffic-ceremony-interrupted-by-displaced-family-1.5128206
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on January 30, 2021, 10:42:46 AM
Someone on Skyscraperpage forum had mentionned then the SW gap of AB-201 is now on Google Streetview.
https://goo.gl/maps/N6ctEQ2K1wtA1uTM9
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 30, 2021, 01:37:42 PM
Hopefully a basic question:

Anyone know why the southwest portion of the Ring Road was built with such a wide median? Are they planning an express setup?

From a BC perspective, Albertan roads seem gigantic. Not just the freeways, either. Many urban arterials seem to have very wide ROWs, and the intersections are very large with lots of clear-zone around them. Intersections without slip lanes also seem rare, at least along major roads. Slip lanes are common all over BC but not usually of the size or length seen in Alta.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Concrete Bob on January 31, 2021, 03:20:25 AM
The wide median was intended to incorporate a future Outer Ring Road.  The inner and outer ring roads would share right of way through the Tsuu Tina (spelling?) Reserve.  The rest of the outer ring road would run on a path roughly 10 miles/16 kilometers outside of AB 201.  The outer ring road is decades out from being built, provided it gets built at all.     
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 31, 2021, 02:59:39 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on January 31, 2021, 03:20:25 AM
The wide median was intended to incorporate a future Outer Ring Road.  The inner and outer ring roads would share right of way through the Tsuu Tina (spelling?) Reserve.  The rest of the outer ring road would run on a path roughly 10 miles/16 kilometers outside of AB 201.  The outer ring road is decades out from being built, provided it gets built at all.   

Ahh, I see. Interesting that it was decided to place the inner ring road on the outside, and the outer ring road on the inside. But hey, whatever floats their boat!

An outer ring road, at this point, does seem awfully lofty. But hey, more power to them.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on January 31, 2021, 03:12:20 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 31, 2021, 02:59:39 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on January 31, 2021, 03:20:25 AM
The wide median was intended to incorporate a future Outer Ring Road.  The inner and outer ring roads would share right of way through the Tsuu Tina (spelling?) Reserve.  The rest of the outer ring road would run on a path roughly 10 miles/16 kilometers outside of AB 201.  The outer ring road is decades out from being built, provided it gets built at all.   

Ahh, I see. Interesting that it was decided to place the inner ring road on the outside, and the outer ring road on the inside. But hey, whatever floats their boat!

An outer ring road, at this point, does seem awfully lofty. But hey, more power to them.

It's more that the Outer and Inner Ring Roads would share the same alignment and have C/D lanes, but that's probably 50+ years away.

AB 2 between Edmonton and Leduc also was built extra wide to incorporate C/D lanes in the 1960s; some proposed improvements on the Alberta Transportation website show them being built but that's still a number of years away.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 31, 2021, 04:59:05 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on January 31, 2021, 03:12:20 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 31, 2021, 02:59:39 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on January 31, 2021, 03:20:25 AM
The wide median was intended to incorporate a future Outer Ring Road.  The inner and outer ring roads would share right of way through the Tsuu Tina (spelling?) Reserve.  The rest of the outer ring road would run on a path roughly 10 miles/16 kilometers outside of AB 201.  The outer ring road is decades out from being built, provided it gets built at all.   

Ahh, I see. Interesting that it was decided to place the inner ring road on the outside, and the outer ring road on the inside. But hey, whatever floats their boat!

An outer ring road, at this point, does seem awfully lofty. But hey, more power to them.

It's more that the Outer and Inner Ring Roads would share the same alignment and have C/D lanes, but that's probably 50+ years away.

AB 2 between Edmonton and Leduc also was built extra wide to incorporate C/D lanes in the 1960s; some proposed improvements on the Alberta Transportation website show them being built but that's still a number of years away.

Have you seen any documents that conceptualize a possible route for the Outer Ring Road?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on February 01, 2021, 01:08:31 PM
I saw something a number of years ago, but it's been taken down. A local blogger makes reference to the conceptual Outer Ring Road at https://calgaryringroad.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/2009-southwest-calgary-ring-road-design/ (ftp://calgaryringroad.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/2009-southwest-calgary-ring-road-design/). His blog also gives a good background of the sorted history and the ups and downs leading up to the negotiation and construction of Tsuut'ina Trail. I think since the initial design of the roadway, the outer ring road has fallen out of favor, and there has been criticism about the freeway being overbuilt.

In intersecting side note, the Shaganappi Trail / Stoney Trail interchange was graded with an ultimate stage construction of a stack interchange; its currently a 3 lane parclo with high-massed lighting but on opening day in 2009, it was just a flyover. When NW Stoney was designed, it looked like plans were for Shaganappi Trail to be north-south freeway (see http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType490/production/UL_mdle.pdf). Fast-forward to today and the city has downgraded its ultimate plans for Shaganappi, there has been significant development along the corridor and it's still a wide, limited-access roadway, but there are enough intersections to indicate it won't be a full-freeway. Even the proposed interchange expansion at Stoney Trail is simply twinning the bridge; https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/transportation/ti/publishingimages/road-projects/north-stoney-tr-interchanges/stoney-tr-shaganappi-tr-interchange-design-map.jpg.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on March 11, 2021, 05:33:37 PM
Alberta private member's bill would increase some highway speed limits to 120 km/h
Caley Ramsay, Global News
QuoteA private member's bill has been introduced which, if passed, would increase the speed limit on some Alberta highways.

UCP MLA Searle Turton introduced Bill 213: the Traffic Safety (Maximum Speed Limit for Provincial Freeways) Amendment Act on Wednesday.

If passed, the bill would set the maximum speed limit for many provincial freeways at 120 kilometres per hour [75 MPH].

"Bill 213 would allow motorists to use our freeways at the speeds they were designed and engineered for, and match posted speed limits with the realistic speeds commuters follow. Evidence shows this would make our freeways safer,"  Turton said in a news release Thursday.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7690854/alberta-private-members-bill-highway-speed/

Interesting that the article alludes to both freeways and divided highways. If it was strictly rural freeways, then technically only the Hwy 2 between Edmonton & Calgary, Hwy 1 between Calgary and Banff National Park, and a short stretch of Hwy 16 would qualify; however if it was divided highways then it would broaden the scope. There are some pretty isolated divided highways that aren't technically freeways where you could probably get away with 120 km/h, traffic is likely travelling that speed or higher anyways.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 12, 2021, 11:07:06 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on March 11, 2021, 05:33:37 PM
https://globalnews.ca/news/7690854/alberta-private-members-bill-highway-speed/

Interesting that the article alludes to both freeways and divided highways. If it was strictly rural freeways, then technically only the Hwy 2 between Edmonton & Calgary, Hwy 1 between Calgary and Banff National Park, and a short stretch of Hwy 16 would qualify; however if it was divided highways then it would broaden the scope. There are some pretty isolated divided highways that aren't technically freeways where you could probably get away with 120 km/h, traffic is likely travelling that speed or higher anyways.

The text of the bill states:
Quote
"provincial freeway"  means a provincial highway designated as a freeway under section 4 of the Highways Development and Protection Act that is located outside of an urban area

and

Quote
(c) by adding the following after clause (a):
(a.1) 120 kilometres per hour is the maximum speed limit for a provincial freeway that is not subject to an order made under subsection (2);
https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_30/session_2/20200225_bill-213.pdf

So it might not be based on design criteria but rather functional classification, which if like other provinces would leave the door open to freeway-like divided highways. Ultimately the wording has left the locations to the discretion of the Alberta Ministry of Transportation's traffic engineering folks, where could actually safely be posted at 120 km/h.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: BigManFromAFRICA88 on April 12, 2021, 02:25:13 PM
Anybody know what future plans there are, if any, for that super wide northeast curve of Stoney Trail (between Country Hills Blvd and 60 St NE)? It's always made me curious, and I can't find anything myself...
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Concrete Bob on April 13, 2021, 12:00:40 AM
About five or ten years ago, I believe I read on the old " Yahoo Canroads" site that a northward extension to a point north of Airdrie to AB-2 was in planning at Stoney Trail's wide "bend." Once the new corridor was complete, AB-2 would be re-routed along the east side of Calgary along the existing Stoney Trail, along with a southern extension of Stoney Trail that would join existing AB-2 near Okotoks.  In essence, the east side of AB-201 would become AB-2.

Then, the province would relegate Deerfoot Trail to the City of Calgary and all other affected local municipalities.     
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: BigManFromAFRICA88 on April 14, 2021, 04:27:23 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on April 13, 2021, 12:00:40 AM
About five or ten years ago, I believe I read on the old " Yahoo Canroads" site that a northward extension to a point north of Airdrie to AB-2 was in planning at Stoney Trail's wide "bend." Once the new corridor was complete, AB-2 would be re-routed along the east side of Calgary along the existing Stoney Trail, along with a southern extension of Stoney Trail that would join existing AB-2 near Okotoks.  In essence, the east side of AB-201 would become AB-2.

Then, the province would relegate Deerfoot Trail to the City of Calgary and all other affected local municipalities.     

Very interesting, thanks!
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on April 18, 2021, 09:59:48 AM
I wonder if there's some long-range plans for AB-14 to remove the current intersections between AB-216 and AB-21 as well as extending the 4-lanes section a bit further to the east?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on April 25, 2021, 03:28:56 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on April 18, 2021, 09:59:48 AM
I wonder if there's some long-range plans for AB-14 to remove the current intersections between AB-216 and AB-21 as well as extending the 4-lanes section a bit further to the east?

I think I saw something about conceptual long term plans to twin AB 14 to Tofield, but I don't think traffic demands are there at this point. Short answer is not for a very long time.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 02, 2021, 08:43:43 AM
I saw this news posted on Skyscraperpage forums, there's a new interchange coming on AB-2 and 40 avenue at Airdrie.
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/construction-begins-on-83m-qeii-interchange-project-near-airdrie-1.5405963

The growth of Airdrie is spectacular since the 1970s when we compare with a photo taken in 1974 then I saw at http://www.prairie-towns.com/airdrie-images.html

Edit: Here some aerial photos showing how Airdrie had grown from the 1950s to the early 2010s. http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7216263&postcount=271
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on May 05, 2021, 01:07:04 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 02, 2021, 08:43:43 AM
I saw this news posted on Skyscraperpage forums, there's a new interchange coming on AB-2 and 40 avenue at Airdrie.
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/construction-begins-on-83m-qeii-interchange-project-near-airdrie-1.5405963

The growth of Airdrie is spectacular since the 1970s when we compare with a photo taken in 1974 then I saw at http://www.prairie-towns.com/airdrie-images.html

Edit: Here some aerial photos showing how Airdrie had grown from the 1950s to the early 2010s. http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7216263&postcount=271

Airdrie's growth is pretty crazy, I wonder when it will pass Lethbridge and Red Deer to become the 3rd largest city in the province? It would have to surpass 100K but that's doable based on it's more recent growth.

I'm curious if a second commuter highway into Calgary will be considered. Highway 2/Deerfoot Trail can have its issues, especially in the winter, that cause big delays during the rush. Compare it to Edmonton-Sherwood Park (3 routes) or Edmonton-Spruce Grove/Stony Plain (2 routes) and the population would probably support it. Maybe a northern extension of Dwight Mclennan (Metis) Trail from Balzac.

Airdrie could also use a regular hospital, but that's a conversation for another board. :)
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on May 05, 2021, 06:54:18 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on May 05, 2021, 01:07:04 AMAirdrie's growth is pretty crazy, I wonder when it will pass Lethbridge and Red Deer to become the 3rd largest city in the province? It would have to surpass 100K but that's doable based on it's more recent growth.

I'm curious if a second commuter highway into Calgary will be considered. Highway 2/Deerfoot Trail can have its issues, especially in the winter, that cause big delays during the rush. Compare it to Edmonton-Sherwood Park (3 routes) or Edmonton-Spruce Grove/Stony Plain (2 routes) and the population would probably support it. Maybe a northern extension of Dwight Mclennan (Metis) Trail from Balzac.
The question is where you would put that second route. Tie it into the east side of 201?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on May 06, 2021, 02:24:16 PM
Quote from: Alps on May 05, 2021, 06:54:18 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on May 05, 2021, 01:07:04 AMAirdrie's growth is pretty crazy, I wonder when it will pass Lethbridge and Red Deer to become the 3rd largest city in the province? It would have to surpass 100K but that's doable based on it's more recent growth.

I'm curious if a second commuter highway into Calgary will be considered. Highway 2/Deerfoot Trail can have its issues, especially in the winter, that cause big delays during the rush. Compare it to Edmonton-Sherwood Park (3 routes) or Edmonton-Spruce Grove/Stony Plain (2 routes) and the population would probably support it. Maybe a northern extension of Dwight Mclennan (Metis) Trail from Balzac.
The question is where you would put that second route. Tie it into the east side of 201?

I guess it depends what kind of standard. If going for an arterial, one could extend Dwight McLennan Tr north from from Hwy 566 to Yankee Valley Blvd or Hwy 567 as it integrates well into Calgary's road network, but there's a number of acreages in between Balzac and Airdrie so it could never be a freeway. Maybe an alternative is having Range Road 292 could tie into Metis Trail, and upgrading it north of Hwy 566.

An easy win would be to upgrade 14 St NE (Calgary)/Range Road 11/8 St SW (Airdrie), an existing rural road with ROW for an interchange along Stoney Trail, but it's more of a collector road in Calgary that ends in an industrial park south of Country Hills Blvd. Further west, Range Road 13/Harvest Hills Blvd/Centre St has similar issues where it ends at Beddington Trail - both options would force traffic back onto Deerfoot Trail.

I've heard that the ROW exists for a northern extension of the East Freeway (i.e. the northeast corner of Stoney Trail), but that's a ways off and would put traffic significantly east of Airdrie, so it might not be that useful but would serve more-so as an Airdrie regional bypass. Another option could be to link Shaganappi Trail to Hwy 772, but it is located significantly west of Airdie.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 10, 2021, 05:16:47 PM
I saw this proposal for Yellowhead highway in Edmonton on Skyscraperpage between St. Albert Trail and 97th Street.
https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9341261&postcount=828
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6uRYlTeUg
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 10, 2021, 05:25:33 PM
Pretty neat!

Edmonton seems to no longer install permissive left turns for two lanes, but this proposal seems to be adding at least one permissive right turn with two lanes (southbound 127 St to westbound Yellowhead Trail). I know there are more than a few around town. Slip lane style of course.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: yeggator on September 12, 2021, 05:48:18 PM
Wow, I can't believe I found this forum, but I'm glad I did. I guess my first contribution here will be an answer to the question about Highway 14. Not too long ago, Strathcona County realized that Sherwood Park was about to be fully developed and they needed to find another location for a second urban development area in the county. The two options they narrowed it down to were an area called Colchester, bounded by Highway 628, Highway 21, Highway 14 and Anthony Henday Drive, as well as an area called Bremner located north of Yellowhead Trail and east of Highway 21. Under the Colchester plan, Highway 14 was provisioned to be a freeway with one service interchange between Highway 21 and the Henday, but ultimately, the county wanted to develop Bremner instead (a move which was very controversial because Bremner sits on top-quality farmland, while the land in Colchester was already less suitable for agriculture). So I guess we won't be seeing development on Highway 14 for a while.

Here's the Colchester plan btw: https://www.strathcona.ca/files/files/at-pds-colchester_gms.pdf
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 21, 2021, 07:44:43 PM
I have a question....

Does anyone know why the median of Stoney Trail in Calgary gets extra wide for a short distance between McKnight and 16th Avenue?  Is it for a proposed interchange at 32nd Ave NE?  Or some other flyover ramp for 16th Ave?

I've always been curious of this.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on September 21, 2021, 11:14:02 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 21, 2021, 07:44:43 PM
I have a question....

Does anyone know why the median of Stoney Trail in Calgary gets extra wide for a short distance between McKnight and 16th Avenue?  Is it for a proposed interchange at 32nd Ave NE?  Or some other flyover ramp for 16th Ave?

I've always been curious of this.
I think it's just geography/geology given the short distance between interchanges.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: webfil on September 22, 2021, 02:26:39 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 21, 2021, 11:14:02 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 21, 2021, 07:44:43 PM
I have a question....

Does anyone know why the median of Stoney Trail in Calgary gets extra wide for a short distance between McKnight and 16th Avenue?  Is it for a proposed interchange at 32nd Ave NE?  Or some other flyover ramp for 16th Ave?

I've always been curious of this.
I think it's just geography/geology given the short distance between interchanges.

Cadastre (https://cityonline.calgary.ca/gismap/mainmap.aspx) shows ROW for an interchange.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 22, 2021, 04:52:13 PM
^It's curious to me, the properties are obviously well setback, but most of the other missing ramps have advanced grading in place, but there doesn't appear to be any advanced grading for 32nd Avenue NE.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 22, 2021, 05:29:20 PM
Maybe it's for a future C-D set-up between 16th Avenue and McKnight Blvd.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 22, 2021, 05:47:27 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on September 22, 2021, 05:29:20 PM
Maybe it's for a future C-D set-up between 16th Avenue and McKnight Blvd.

I like this theory. An interchange at 32 Ave would be inconsistent with the rest of the ring road, in terms of proximity to existing interchanges.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Alps on September 22, 2021, 06:53:58 PM
Quote from: webfil on September 22, 2021, 02:26:39 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 21, 2021, 11:14:02 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 21, 2021, 07:44:43 PM
I have a question....

Does anyone know why the median of Stoney Trail in Calgary gets extra wide for a short distance between McKnight and 16th Avenue?  Is it for a proposed interchange at 32nd Ave NE?  Or some other flyover ramp for 16th Ave?

I've always been curious of this.
I think it's just geography/geology given the short distance between interchanges.

Cadastre (https://cityonline.calgary.ca/gismap/mainmap.aspx) shows ROW for an interchange.
There is a lot of ROW there but I dispute that anything is set aside for an interchange.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on September 23, 2021, 10:30:19 AM
I think if required, 32 Ave NE will cross Stoney Trail via a flyover, but the original "Ultimate Stage" plans that were available when it was under construction didn't indicate an interchange. IIRC, the extra wide median has something to do with avoiding old sour gas well sites.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 24, 2021, 09:02:47 PM
Google Streetview show the construction of the new interchange on Airport trail at 19th Street NE and Barlow Trail. https://goo.gl/maps/VEkrkMbo875EBokB9
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Concrete Bob on September 24, 2021, 11:05:42 PM
Calgary has a very extensive skeletal arterial network (Anderson Road, Beddington Trail, etc.) . It appears that nearly all of their skeletal arterials are easily upgradable to freeway.  The city appears to have large rights of way where the skeletal arterials intersect. Calgary has done a nice job planning its freeway and arterial network.  I am looking forward to visiting Calgary and Edmonton once COVID lifts.  I have wanted to visit the area since the 1970s.   
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 25, 2021, 10:30:25 AM
I saw recent satellite shots of Airport Trail with Metis Trail and we got to said goodbye to the proposed cloverleaf interchange at the junction of these 2 roads. :(
https://satellites.pro/Canada_map#B51.138850,-113.965645,16

The ultimate plan proposed in 2008 could be found on this link. https://www.calgary.ca/transportation/tp/projects/completed-planning-projects/metis-trail-extension.html
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 25, 2021, 11:48:20 AM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on September 24, 2021, 11:05:42 PM
Calgary has a very extensive skeletal arterial network (Anderson Road, Beddington Trail, etc.) . It appears that nearly all of their skeletal arterials are easily upgradable to freeway.  The city appears to have large rights of way where the skeletal arterials intersect. Calgary has done a nice job planning its freeway and arterial network.  I am looking forward to visiting Calgary and Edmonton once COVID lifts.  I have wanted to visit the area since the 1970s.

These arterials also have some of the largest slip lanes I have ever seen. They're on the verge of being off- and on-ramps.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on October 02, 2021, 07:41:21 PM
A couple major roadways recently opened in Calgary. Airport Trail is now opened on Sept 30 between 36 St NE and Metis Trail, and now runs continuous from Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail. Today, Stoney Trail opened between Fish Creek Blvd and Hwy 22X (west), completing the SW portion of the Ring Road. Now only the West Ring Road (Hwy 8 to Hwy 1) remains and is under construction.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: yeggator on October 17, 2021, 11:10:10 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on September 24, 2021, 09:02:47 PM
Google Streetview show the construction of the new interchange on Airport trail at 19th Street NE and Barlow Trail. https://goo.gl/maps/VEkrkMbo875EBokB9

Wow, Calgary's already building a brand new freeway at the airport and Edmonton is still working on making the Yellowhead a free-flow road. :spin:
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: vdeane on October 18, 2021, 12:56:34 PM
Quote from: yeggator on October 17, 2021, 11:10:10 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on September 24, 2021, 09:02:47 PM
Google Streetview show the construction of the new interchange on Airport trail at 19th Street NE and Barlow Trail. https://goo.gl/maps/VEkrkMbo875EBokB9

Wow, Calgary's already building a brand new freeway at the airport and Edmonton is still working on making the Yellowhead a free-flow road. :spin:
Meanwhile, Calgary still doesn't have a full beltway and TCH 1 will probably never be a full freeway though there.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on December 02, 2021, 09:59:07 PM
A girl from Alberta redesigned the moose crossing sign out of pure boredom, and it was approved federally: https://www.macleans.ca/society/environment/the-tiktok-star-behind-canadas-new-and-less-floppy-moose-crossing-sign/

QuoteIn the summer of 2017, Chloë Chapdelaine was 18 and living by herself in a trailer near the tiny town of Foremost, Alta., where she was holding down two summer jobs at a pool and community support centre.

She had no WiFi. She had no television. And she had exactly one roadside attraction to pique her interest on the highway route to and from work: a moose crossing sign that, every time she looked at it, just seemed a bit off. A bit . . . floppy.

In her spare time, Chapdelaine, an aspiring design student from Medicine Hat, Alta., decided to take action: "This was the perfect personal challenge to see what I can do."  So she sat down with a Sharpie. She drew a new design that was more reflective of the "majestic"  animal and wrote a lighthearted essay to go with it.

She printed out 10 copies and mailed them to various government departments and transportation agencies, not really expecting to hear back. But four long years later, the design is in the Transportation Association of Canada's newest Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada, a guide for governments on the use of road signs across the country. It is already being used for new and replacement signage along roadways, and will become more ubiquitous in 2022.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on December 02, 2021, 10:28:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 02, 2021, 09:59:07 PM
A girl from Alberta redesigned the moose crossing sign out of pure boredom, and it was approved federally: https://www.macleans.ca/society/environment/the-tiktok-star-behind-canadas-new-and-less-floppy-moose-crossing-sign/

QuoteIn the summer of 2017, Chloë Chapdelaine was 18 and living by herself in a trailer near the tiny town of Foremost, Alta., where she was holding down two summer jobs at a pool and community support centre.

She had no WiFi. She had no television. And she had exactly one roadside attraction to pique her interest on the highway route to and from work: a moose crossing sign that, every time she looked at it, just seemed a bit off. A bit . . . floppy.

In her spare time, Chapdelaine, an aspiring design student from Medicine Hat, Alta., decided to take action: "This was the perfect personal challenge to see what I can do."  So she sat down with a Sharpie. She drew a new design that was more reflective of the "majestic"  animal and wrote a lighthearted essay to go with it.

She printed out 10 copies and mailed them to various government departments and transportation agencies, not really expecting to hear back. But four long years later, the design is in the Transportation Association of Canada's newest Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada, a guide for governments on the use of road signs across the country. It is already being used for new and replacement signage along roadways, and will become more ubiquitous in 2022.

The old Alberta moose sign looks awful. It has a Squidward nose! :-D
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2022, 07:12:44 PM
I noticed on Streetview, that Stoney Trail is being widened from four to six lanes through the 16th Avenue interchange (and beyond) on the eastern edge of Calgary.  Are they going to resurface the existing lanes on that stretch as well?

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.075703,-113.9201358,3a,39.3y,206.11h,86.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2qgKIJco3i6oe5zAnWfkGg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: stevashe on January 14, 2022, 10:07:39 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2022, 07:12:44 PM
I noticed on Streetview, that Stoney Trail is being widened from four to six lanes through the 16th Avenue interchange (and beyond) on the eastern edge of Calgary.  Are they going to resurface the existing lanes on that stretch as well?

https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.075703,-113.9201358,3a,39.3y,206.11h,86.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2qgKIJco3i6oe5zAnWfkGg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I have some pictures of that area from when I was in Calgary in September, by that time it looks like the construction had wrapped up, but only the middle lane was repaved in the southbound direction:

(https://i.imgur.com/Gyay2cP.png)
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: srpyyc on February 21, 2022, 10:17:33 PM
Did something productive this long weekend and put together a new video of Calgary's now completed SW Ring Road. (AB 201)
Filmed in October last year.  Enjoy.    :popcorn:

Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 21, 2022, 10:37:35 AM
I stumbled upon this website for Calgary's West Ring Road over the weekend, there are some neat drone videos of the project to complete the ring road freeway around Calgary:

https://westringroad.ca/photos-videos/
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on November 01, 2022, 06:00:52 PM
I saw the construction of a new bridge on AB-40 south of Grande Prairie near the existing bridge. https://goo.gl/maps/YwuvxFxjYrh2W5GS8 Is it a bridge replacement or they twin the span as part of turning AB-40 in a 4-lane highway?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Concrete Bob on November 04, 2022, 04:26:23 PM
Here's some information on the AB 40 twinning project:

https://www.alberta.ca/highway-40-twinning-project.aspx
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on November 05, 2022, 02:17:32 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on November 04, 2022, 04:26:23 PM
Here's some information on the AB 40 twinning project:

https://www.alberta.ca/highway-40-twinning-project.aspx

Thanks for the infos. :)  Is that area south of Grande Prairie got a boomtown?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 07, 2022, 11:26:05 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on November 05, 2022, 02:17:32 PM
Quote from: Concrete Bob on November 04, 2022, 04:26:23 PM
Here's some information on the AB 40 twinning project:

https://www.alberta.ca/highway-40-twinning-project.aspx

Thanks for the infos. :)  Is that area south of Grande Prairie got a boomtown?

There's a wood products manufacturing plant south of Grande Prairie, so it sounds like there's enough commuter and truck traffic to justify twinning between the plant and the city. Based on the some the articles out there, Grande Prairie is going through a boom and a lot of the activity is to the south, https://www.greenviewindustrial.ca/.

The province also has an unbuilt corridor between Hwy 40 and the Hwy 43 bypass (formerly Hwy 43X) designated as Hwy 40X, which will be a bypass route for Hwy 40; https://www.countygp.ab.ca/en/county-government/highway-40x-connector.aspx. I'm guessing that if Hwy 43 is any indication, Hwy 40 will be rerouted to follow Hwy 40X once it's constructed.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 28, 2022, 01:18:36 PM
An election must be coming in the spring, a few roads projects have been announced:

Deerfoot Trail (Hwy 2): Glenmore Trail to Anderson/Bow Bottom Trail
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-government-says-deerfoot-trail-improvements-are-in-the-works-1.6159555 (https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-government-says-deerfoot-trail-improvements-are-in-the-works-1.6159555); https://www.deerfootimprovements.ca/improvement-areas/southland-drive-s-e-anderson-road-bow-bottom-trail-s-e/ (https://www.deerfootimprovements.ca/improvement-areas/southland-drive-s-e-anderson-road-bow-bottom-trail-s-e/); https://www.deerfootimprovements.ca/improvement-areas/glenmore-trail-s-e/ (https://www.deerfootimprovements.ca/improvement-areas/glenmore-trail-s-e/)
The project includes:
Quote

  • Improvements to the interchanges at Bow Bottom Trail, Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail
  • Seven new bridges at Anderson Road, Bow Bottom Trail, Bow River, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail
  • More lanes on Deerfoot Trail between Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail and Glenmore Trail
Currently Deerfoot Trail squeezes from 3+ lanes to 2 lanes (each way) at both the Glenmore and Bow Bottom/Anderson interchanges, which will be mitigated. Glenmore Trail also squeezes from 3 to 2 lanes (each way) underneath Deerfoot Trail, unfortunately that will remain. Also missing is a direct northbound to westbound link/flyover at the Deerfoot/Glenmore interchange; currently traffic has to use area surface streets.

Highway 3 (Crownest Highway) Twinning - Medicine Hat to BC Border
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/twinning-of-highway-3-moving-ahead-benefitting-local-economy-1.6169620

Currently 100 km of the 324 km route is twinned. It will be stretched out to 8 phases over 10 years.

QuotePhase 1: 46 kilometres — A request for proposals has been issued to the shortlisted design build proponents to twin Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett. Construction is expected to start in 2023;
Phase 2: 10 kilometres — Highway 3X/Coleman Bypass. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023;
Phase 3: 15 kilometres — East of Seven Persons to Medicine Hat. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023;
Phase 4: 47 kilometres — Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in 2023;
Phase 5: 28 kilometres — East of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in summer 2023;
Phase 6: 23 kilometres — East of Burdett to east of Bow Island. A functional planning study has been completed and the province will continue to consult with the Town of Bow Island and other stakeholders in order to finalize the alignment;
Phase 7: 38 kilometres — Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod. A functional planning study through Piikani Nation is underway and will continue for some time; and
Phase 8: Eight kilometres — Alberta-B.C. border to Highway 3X. Continued engagement with B.C. is necessary to consider alignment with improvements being planned through the B.C. portion.

The proposed bypasses for Lethbridge and Fort Macleod are separate projects are not included.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 29, 2022, 01:18:17 AM
I think it's funny that Alberta still has yet to make Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton fully controlled-access, despite being the richest province, while New Brunswick has now an absurdly large controlled-access freeway-to-population ratio despite being one of the poorer provinces.

Does Alberta intend to upgrade Hwy 2 from Calgary to Edmonton to freeway standards at all?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 29, 2022, 02:35:22 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 29, 2022, 01:18:17 AM
I think it's funny that Alberta still has yet to make Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton fully controlled-access, despite being the richest province, while New Brunswick has now an absurdly large controlled-access freeway-to-population ratio despite being one of the poorer provinces.

Does Alberta intend to upgrade Hwy 2 from Calgary to Edmonton to freeway standards at all?
Maybe Alberta indirectly paid for New Brunswick's freeway through transfer payments??  :poke: :spin:

There's been enough studies on the QE2 over the years that one would think it's a long-term plan. There are 5 uncontrolled intersections between Calgary and Edmonton, all minor rural roads. An easy win is closing all the intersections, but you might need 1 or 2 interchanges to finish the job.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on December 05, 2022, 12:38:12 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on November 29, 2022, 02:35:22 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 29, 2022, 01:18:17 AM
I think it's funny that Alberta still has yet to make Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton fully controlled-access, despite being the richest province, while New Brunswick has now an absurdly large controlled-access freeway-to-population ratio despite being one of the poorer provinces.

Does Alberta intend to upgrade Hwy 2 from Calgary to Edmonton to freeway standards at all?
Maybe Alberta indirectly paid for New Brunswick's freeway through transfer payments??  :poke: :spin:

There's been enough studies on the QE2 over the years that one would think it's a long-term plan. There are 5 uncontrolled intersections between Calgary and Edmonton, all minor rural roads. An easy win is closing all the intersections, but you might need 1 or 2 interchanges to finish the job.

As an update, Alberta Transportation is looking to convert 3 at-grade intersections along Highway 2 in Foothills County (south of Calgary) to right-in/right-out in 2023 (https://www.alberta.ca/highway-2-median-removals-foothills-county.aspx), while also planning for an interchange at 338 Avenue (https://www.alberta.ca/highway-2-to-338-avenue-interchange.aspx) located midway between the Highway 7/547 and Highway 2A/543 interchanges. Personally I've felt more uneasy travelling Hwy 2 in this section than Mountain View County (between Calgary & Red Deer) as there are more acreages in the area resulting in more traffic turning left or trying to cross. It also shows neglect for those Mountain View County intersections but I'm guessing it all comes down to a lower collision count.  :banghead:
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Bruce on May 25, 2023, 01:41:28 AM
I will be in Calgary and Banff over the weekend. Hoping for some last-minute suggestions on anything roadgeek-specific to see.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 25, 2023, 10:09:13 AM
Quote from: Bruce on May 25, 2023, 01:41:28 AM
I will be in Calgary and Banff over the weekend. Hoping for some last-minute suggestions on anything roadgeek-specific to see.

I was there last in March, construction and staging for the ring road extension was interesting then at least.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.0865706,-114.2293748,2453m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&entry=ttu
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: splashflash on June 16, 2023, 12:42:32 AM
Canada's first DDI. Saving lives in Calgary.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9769166/calgary-diverging-diamond-interchange-serious-crash-decline/
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dvferyance on June 18, 2023, 08:11:28 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 29, 2022, 01:18:17 AM
I think it's funny that Alberta still has yet to make Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton fully controlled-access, despite being the richest province, while New Brunswick has now an absurdly large controlled-access freeway-to-population ratio despite being one of the poorer provinces.

Does Alberta intend to upgrade Hwy 2 from Calgary to Edmonton to freeway standards at all?
It isn't? Maps show it is so I thought it already was.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on June 19, 2023, 04:33:35 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 18, 2023, 08:11:28 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 29, 2022, 01:18:17 AM
I think it's funny that Alberta still has yet to make Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton fully controlled-access, despite being the richest province, while New Brunswick has now an absurdly large controlled-access freeway-to-population ratio despite being one of the poorer provinces.

Does Alberta intend to upgrade Hwy 2 from Calgary to Edmonton to freeway standards at all?
It isn't? Maps show it is so I thought it already was.

There's a handful of remaining at-grade, country roads remaining on Highway 2 that are mostly in Mountain View County (between Bowden and Carstairs), as well as one between Innisfail and Red Deer.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on October 02, 2023, 02:46:59 PM
The West Ring Road section of Stoney Trail (AB-201) opened today between TC-1 (west) an Bow Trail; https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/section-of-west-stoney-trail-ring-road-opens-to-traffic-1.6585771. The remaining section between Bow Trail and AB-8 is scheduled to open in 2024, completing the 100-km freeway ring road around Calgary.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: yakra on October 13, 2023, 01:09:51 AM
And in 8 hours:
Quote from: https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2107
We're thrilled to announce that the 40th Avenue Interchange to QEII will open on Oct. 13 at 7 a.m.

We are excited to celebrate a major milestone in Airdrie's growth and progress. This $65 million project will connect communities, enhance safety and boost economic development. In collaboration with EllisDon and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, we are proud to deliver this project on time and on budget.

A big THANK YOU to Airdrie residents, developers, community groups and businesses. You've been instrumental in making this happen!
I estimate it may be Exit 280, but does anyone know for sure?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 13, 2023, 01:42:16 PM
Are there any good road photographers from Alberta?  I search on the goog every now and then, but it doesn't seem like good photos of Alberta's roads are all that common on the interwebs.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 24, 2023, 04:44:40 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZPQ_mZ8SiY

The southwest segment of AB-216 (Anthony Henday Drive) has been widened to three lanes each way, and it's expected to carry up to 120k vehicles a day (currently, it's at around 80k vehicles a day).
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 25, 2023, 01:21:36 AM
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=89340E8C557F2-B03F-B0EF-2465154D14F17824

"After receiving data from across the province, Alberta's government is taking the first step of banning photo radar on ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton starting Dec. 1."

These sites were used for revenue generating, NOT for traffic safety!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o77_nPUgdbY
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 25, 2023, 11:59:30 PM
Quote from: yakra on October 13, 2023, 01:09:51 AM
And in 8 hours:
Quote from: https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2107
We're thrilled to announce that the 40th Avenue Interchange to QEII will open on Oct. 13 at 7 a.m.

We are excited to celebrate a major milestone in Airdrie's growth and progress. This $65 million project will connect communities, enhance safety and boost economic development. In collaboration with EllisDon and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, we are proud to deliver this project on time and on budget.

A big THANK YOU to Airdrie residents, developers, community groups and businesses. You've been instrumental in making this happen!
I estimate it may be Exit 280, but does anyone know for sure?

Confirmed, it's 280.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 18, 2023, 06:01:10 PM
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=89498F04A511D-FBBF-403E-0487060D79B49B3E

An update on Calgary's ring road project!
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: srpyyc on December 18, 2023, 09:50:17 PM
The final section from Bow Trail to AB 8 will be open tomorrow morning, completing the project.  I'll go for a first drive in the evening.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-s-ring-road-decades-in-the-making-now-complete-1.6691805 (https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-s-ring-road-decades-in-the-making-now-complete-1.6691805)
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: TXtoNJ on December 19, 2023, 12:23:55 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on November 25, 2023, 01:21:36 AM
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=89340E8C557F2-B03F-B0EF-2465154D14F17824

"After receiving data from across the province, Alberta's government is taking the first step of banning photo radar on ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton starting Dec. 1."

These sites were used for revenue generating, NOT for traffic safety!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o77_nPUgdbY

Photo radar should be saved for urban and residential streets, not for intercity highways
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Brandon on December 20, 2023, 08:28:56 AM
Quote from: TXtoNJ on December 19, 2023, 12:23:55 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on November 25, 2023, 01:21:36 AM
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=89340E8C557F2-B03F-B0EF-2465154D14F17824

"After receiving data from across the province, Alberta's government is taking the first step of banning photo radar on ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton starting Dec. 1."

These sites were used for revenue generating, NOT for traffic safety!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o77_nPUgdbY

Photo radar should be saved for urban and residential streets, not for intercity highways

Photo radar should be banned, period.  The City of Chicago is using theirs on city streets to try to fill their budget holes (i.e. for their revenue).
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on December 20, 2023, 02:56:37 PM
It's obviously the same in Québec, or anywhere really. If I speed, I want an actual cop to pull me over and give me a ticket for that, otherwise they don't have any proof I was going too fast.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on December 20, 2023, 04:09:24 PM
Photo or automated enforcement should be banned on a federal level with exemptions for work and school zones. Even those should be able to easily throw out by just showing up to court and getting them dismissed on the basis there wasn't a police officer in person to witness it. They are bullshit and money makers and nothing more.
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on December 26, 2023, 02:03:57 AM
Early Christmas gift, the final section of Stoney Trail (Hwy 201) between Hwy 8 & Bow Trail opened on December 18, months ahead of schedule. This completed the 101 km ring road (freeway) around Calgary.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10177482/calgary-ring-road-opens-months-ahead-of-schedule/
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: yakra on January 01, 2024, 09:42:47 AM
OSM shows Exit 57 open at 11 st NE. Wikipedia reports it as open, but I can't find a cite anywhere. Can anyone confirm?
Title: Re: Alberta's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 12, 2024, 07:27:24 PM
Some third party uploaded some street view on GSV the last gap of Stoney Trail/AB-201 who was opened recently.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/N9sT8wZgKuJjuJ2GA